Build a Box of Friendship

Into a box of friendship
To insure that it is strong
First a layer of respect
On the bottom does belong
Then to the sides attach
In the corners where they meet
Several anchors full of trust
Devoid of all deceit
The height of friendship can be measured
By the sides of four
So make them all a larger cut
And the box will hold much more
Now fill it up with courtesy
Honor and esteem
Understanding, sympathy
And passion for a dream
Add to that your honesty
Emotions joy and love
And since they're so important
Place them up above
But leave the box wide open
So all can see inside
To learn what makes a friendship work
From the box you built with pride

Control of Your Heart

A wise and understanding heart does not repay a hurt with a hurt. In doing so, the heart is diminished. Fissures form. Love leaks out. Every pain given in return for one received, changes the contents of the heart. It is no longer defined by love, wisdom and understanding. It is redefined by the bearers of hurt and hate, pain and prejudice, meanness and madness, sorrow and sadness. You give away control of your very own heart.

The despair of being hurt is healed by overcoming it, not clinging to the hurt and inflicting more of it on the world. When darkness is added to darkness, no one can see, no one can love. Everyone loses.

Love is not always warm and fuzzy. Sometimes it's the integrity we hold on to when we're tempted to strike back. Sometimes it's the honor that keeps us from exchanging the valuable contents of our heart for the harsh satisfaction of lashing back.

No, the way of love is not always easy, but when night falls, dawn is assured.

The integrity and honor of a wise and understanding heart, rises with the sun of a new day.

"Because you have asked for understanding to discern judgment. I have given you a wise and understanding heart." 1 Kings 3:11-12

Living in love and loving life....

Trees That Wood

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty." Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."
Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter" ... and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one", and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

REDEFINING HUMAN

How often do you say or hear other people say “Well, we’re human..” or “That’s just what people do.” as justification for certain behaviors? Do you ever question such comments?

"Today is a day to evaluate and, perhaps, readjust your personal definition of being human."

You are an amazing creature. You can be whatever you want to be. The only things that can stop you are your own beliefs about yourself and that is not intended in a corny, self-help sort of way.

For example, you may have heard the claim that we are not meant to be with one person for our entire lives and it’s not logical to expect someone to be faithful forever. That is their belief and their choice. And yet, there are those who do fall in love once and make it last a lifetime. That is their belief and their choice.

You may have heard someone justify anothers' violent outburst by claiming, “They’re human. Anyone would be angry in that situation.” And yet, there are those who are able to remain peaceful and in control of themselves at all times.

Are those people not human? Of course they are! But they have a different perception of what it means to be human.
Challenge your definition of humanity today.

... Does this definition allow you to become the greatest version of yourself?

... Does it make you proud to be a member of this species?

Before you go to sleep tonight, create a new definition of yourself, what you want to be and believe, however grand it may seem.

Have a human day!

DESTINY THEY SAY !

• You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you. 
• Serendipity. Look for something, find something else, and realize that what you've found is more suited to your needs than what you thought you were looking for. 
• It's choice - not chance - that determines your destiny. 
• Dreams are like stars...you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny.  
• There is no such thing as chance; and what seem to us merest accident springs from the deepest source of destiny. 
• Control your destiny or somebody else will. 
• Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
  Watch your words, for they become actions.
  Watch your actions, for they become habits.
  Watch your habits, for they become character.
  Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny
• Actions are the seed of fate deeds grow into destiny. 

• Our destiny changes with our thought; we shall become what we wish to become, do what we wish to do, when our habitual thought corresponds with our desire. 
• It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time.      
• Thoughts lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny.  

POEM

A Wish

I lie on the ground,
and stare into space,
the stars start to move,
into the shape of your face.

I see you there now,
looking down at me,
with that cute little smile,
that I like to see.

You say "close your eyes",
"tell me what you see",
I see only two people,
just you and me.

We're walking the shoreline,
with our feet getting wet,
the horizon turns pink,
as the sun starts to set.
Oh I wish I could be,
in that one special place,
as I lie on the ground,
and I stare into space...

                                                              From a Friend